Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand reckons that Anglo-Nigerian wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri is on the same level as Phil Foden when the Manchester City midfielder was at a similar age. 

Manager Mikel Arteta named Nwaneri in the matchday squad against Brenford following the unavailability of Martin Ødegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Mohamed Elneny and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who are all capable of playing in the middle of the park.

Just before the end of the game, history was made as the Arsenal schoolboy came off the bench to replace Fabio Vieira.

Born March 2007, Nwaneri became the youngest player to debut in the English Premier League aged 15 years and 181 days, surpassing previous record holder Harvey Elliot, who was 16 years and 30 days old when he played for Fulham in May 2019.

Arsenal fans taunted the Brentford supporters when Nwaneri entered the pitch, singing 'He's only 15 years old, that's how rubbish you are'.

"There’s no doubting this kid’s ability, "  Ferdinand told his YouTube channel.

"I've heard from coaches that are at the club and from various different people in the game at that level that there aren't many 15-year-olds in the last 10 or so years that have got the ability that this guy's been showing on a consistent basis.

"We are talking the Fodens of this world. At 15, he's at a similar level they're talking."

It is understood that one of the reasons Arsenal handed a debut to Nwaneri at such a young age is that they want him to sign a new deal amid interest from Premier League rivals.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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